Kinangop Wind Park project makes Sh270m promise

The Kinangop Wind Park (KWP) project, which is aiming to add 61 megawatts to the national grid, has announced a Sh270 million fund for community projects in Kinangop and Naivasha.

A day after leaders from Nyandarua and Nakuru counties gave the Sh13 billion project a nod, the company promised the affected community a series of goodies.

For months, residents of Kinangop and Naivasha have opposed the project, saying they were not consulted on compensation and relocation.

But last weekend, Nyandarua Senator Muriuki Karue, Woman Representative Wanjiru Muhia and Kinangop MP Stephen Kinyanjui led residents in supporting the project.

Fresh details

Details have emerged to the effect that the investor agreed to start fresh negotiations with the affected families on a case by case basis.

According to the new contract, KWP agreed to give 10 per cent of its net proceeds from carbon credits to the community.

"KWP has agreed to organise a trip out of the country for representatives of the local community," reads the contract in part.

The contract also has it that no other investor would be allowed into the area to tap wind power as that would interfere with the turbines.

"Mass relocation is not envisaged in this project as it is counter-development and KWP has agreed to compensate for the affected land and structures," says the agreement.

Earlier, Mr Karue had sought to assure all farmers affected by the project that they would be compensated.

"Nyandarua leaders have had several meetings with the Energy CS and his team, and all your concerns and worries will be addressed," said Karue.

And Mr Kinyanjui said the affected families in Magumu, Githabai and Naivasha East wards would benefit.

Kinyanjui, who was previously opposed to the project, said the previous contract was faulty and the investor had agreed to review it.

cause diseases

He dismissed allegations that the wind project could cause diseases and said the National Environmental Management Authority had visited the affected areas and approved the project.

"The contract will be done afresh and I am asking that you support it as it will not only benefit the people of Kinangop but the whole country," he said.

Ms Muhia said concerns raised by the affected farmers were genuine hence the need for a new contract.

She said the farmers had not been involved previously but it would be a win-win situation with the current negotiations.

"We have sat down with the investor who has agreed to review the previous contract and work on the project will kick off once the pending issues have been resolved," she said.

John Maina, an engineer from the Ministry of Energy, said this would be the largest wind project in the country.